How Much Does a Firewall Cost?

Published: 12/12/2025

Written by: Lizzie Danielson

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How much does a firewall cost?

The cost of a firewall can range from as little as $5 per month for basic software solutions to tens of thousands of dollars for enterprise-grade hardware appliances. Additional ongoing costs like subscriptions, management services, and support can significantly impact the total price.

Key takeaways:

This guide breaks down the factors that influence the cost of firewalls, from the upfront price tag to ongoing maintenance fees. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of what to expect when budgeting for a firewall to keep your business secure, plus practical tips to help you make an informed decision.

Learn more about Firewalls with our Comprehensive Guide

What determines firewall costs?

When it comes to firewalls, pricing isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. There are several key factors that determine how much you’ll pay, including:

Type of firewall

Hardware Firewalls are physical devices installed within a network. They are ideal for businesses that need strong, reliable protection. Entry-level appliances start at around $1,000, while high-performance models for enterprises can exceed $20,000.
Software Firewalls are applications installed on a device. These are often more affordable, starting as low as $5-$50 per month for individuals or small businesses. However, they may be less robust for organizational needs.
Cloud-based Firewalls (FWaaS) offer scalability and flexible pricing. Monthly fees typically range between $10 and $100 per user, depending on features and providers.

Features and add-onsAdvanced features such as intrusion detection/prevention, VPN functionality, and traffic monitoring will increase costs. You’ll also likely pay more for features like centralized management and AI-based monitoring.
Management and support costsManaged firewall services (MFS), where specialists monitor and maintain your firewall, can range from $50-$300 per month. These services are essential for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that lack in-house cybersecurity expertise.
Scalability and licensingPricing may vary based on the number of users, devices, or endpoints in your environment. Be cautious about “per-seat” licensing models, as they can become expensive as your organization grows.
Ongoing maintenance and subscription feesRenewal costs for subscriptions, firmware updates, or extended warranties can add $100-$1,000 annually, depending on the hardware or software provider.

Firewall cases for all businesses

Firewalls are non-negotiable. They are the frontline defense to safeguard personal, financial, and confidential data against unauthorized access and cyber threats. As a first layer of security, managed firewalls and hardware solutions provide visibility and control over network traffic, while software and cloud options are ideal for hybrid workforces and SMBs due to their flexibility and scalability.

Suggested budgeting tips

Start with a risk assessment: Before investing, evaluate your network’s size, the type of data you handle, and the cyber risks your organization faces.
Consider TCO (Total Cost of Ownership): Hardware might be expensive upfront, but cloud-based alternatives may have higher long-term costs.
Factor in growth: Choose scalable solutions to support the future needs of your workforce.
Leverage expert services: Managed firewall services can save you time and effort, ensuring professionals are monitoring your network 24/7. A managed firewall combined with a managed EDR solution offers a highly effective, layered defense strategy. The firewall protects your network perimeter, while the EDR guards endpoints against sophisticated threats, offering comprehensive protection from potential malicious actors

Government and industry resources

For more information on cybersecurity best practices and firewall implementations, visit the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) or explore the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

EDR vs. antivirus: The key differences

So, what is the difference between EDR and antivirus when cybercriminals are using stealth tactics, zero-day exploits, and fileless attacks? Is a simple bouncer enough to protect your business, or do you need a full-blown security squad? Which one should you rely on? Let’s break it down.

Feature	Traditional AV	EDR
Detection	Signature-based (known threats)	Behavior-based (unknown and advanced threats)
Response	Quarantines/deletes files	Isolates endpoints, kills processes, and rolls back damage
Visibility	Limited	Full system activity visibility
Threat Hunting	No	Yes

Key takeaways

Antivirus is like a security guard checking IDs. It works, but only for known threats. They are an essential entry level of cybersecurity that helps protect your network and data against cyber threats. The costs can vary based on your business needs, so it’s important to assess your specific requirements and partner with a managed cybersecurity expert.

What Drives Firewall Costs: A Breakdown for Decision-Makers

Help readers understand why firewall pricing varies so dramatically. Hardware firewalls: cost scales with throughput capacity (the volume of traffic the device can inspect without degrading performance), number of concurrent connections, and feature set (basic packet filtering vs. NGFW with SSL inspection, IPS, and application awareness). A firewall sized for a 10-person office handles fundamentally different load than one protecting a 500-employee environment with remote workers, cloud services, and high-volume encrypted traffic — sizing errors in either direction create problems. Software/cloud firewalls: subscription pricing typically scales with the number of users, sites, or bandwidth tiers. Cloud-based firewall-as-a-service eliminates hardware refresh cycles and scales automatically but introduces an ongoing operational cost rather than a capital expenditure. Hidden costs: implementation and configuration (often as much as the hardware itself for complex environments); training or managed service fees; ongoing subscription fees for security intelligence updates; and the cost of false positives — an overly aggressive firewall that blocks legitimate traffic creates productivity and revenue impacts. For MSPs presenting firewall options to clients, framing total cost of ownership over a 3-5 year horizon gives a more honest comparison than upfront purchase price alone.

FAQs about Firewall Costs

Basic software firewalls can cost as low as $5 per month, but they may offer limited protection compared to hardware or cloud solutions.

Not necessarily, but MFS can greatly simplify network security for businesses without dedicated IT teams.

It depends on your needs. Hardware offers robust protection for internal networks, while cloud options work well for remote teams or hybrid environments.

Yes, there are free options, but they usually come with limited features and may not offer adequate protection for businesses.

Key factors include the type of firewall, licensing, features, number of users, and whether you opt for managed services.

Additional Resources

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Secure endpoints, email, and employees with the power of our 24/7 SOC. Try Huntress for free and deploy in minutes to start fighting threats.

Try Huntress for Free

How Much Does a Firewall Cost?

Published: 12/12/2025

Written by: Lizzie Danielson

Summarize This Page

On This Page

How much does a firewall cost?

Key takeaways:

Learn more about Firewalls with our Comprehensive Guide

What determines firewall costs?

When it comes to firewalls, pricing isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. There are several key factors that determine how much you’ll pay, including:

Type of firewall

Hardware Firewalls are physical devices installed within a network. They are ideal for businesses that need strong, reliable protection. Entry-level appliances start at around $1,000, while high-performance models for enterprises can exceed $20,000.
Software Firewalls are applications installed on a device. These are often more affordable, starting as low as $5-$50 per month for individuals or small businesses. However, they may be less robust for organizational needs.
Cloud-based Firewalls (FWaaS) offer scalability and flexible pricing. Monthly fees typically range between $10 and $100 per user, depending on features and providers.

Features and add-onsAdvanced features such as intrusion detection/prevention, VPN functionality, and traffic monitoring will increase costs. You’ll also likely pay more for features like centralized management and AI-based monitoring.
Management and support costsManaged firewall services (MFS), where specialists monitor and maintain your firewall, can range from $50-$300 per month. These services are essential for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that lack in-house cybersecurity expertise.
Scalability and licensingPricing may vary based on the number of users, devices, or endpoints in your environment. Be cautious about “per-seat” licensing models, as they can become expensive as your organization grows.
Ongoing maintenance and subscription feesRenewal costs for subscriptions, firmware updates, or extended warranties can add $100-$1,000 annually, depending on the hardware or software provider.

Firewall cases for all businesses

Suggested budgeting tips

Start with a risk assessment: Before investing, evaluate your network’s size, the type of data you handle, and the cyber risks your organization faces.
Consider TCO (Total Cost of Ownership): Hardware might be expensive upfront, but cloud-based alternatives may have higher long-term costs.
Factor in growth: Choose scalable solutions to support the future needs of your workforce.
Leverage expert services: Managed firewall services can save you time and effort, ensuring professionals are monitoring your network 24/7. A managed firewall combined with a managed EDR solution offers a highly effective, layered defense strategy. The firewall protects your network perimeter, while the EDR guards endpoints against sophisticated threats, offering comprehensive protection from potential malicious actors

Government and industry resources

EDR vs. antivirus: The key differences

Feature	Traditional AV	EDR
Detection	Signature-based (known threats)	Behavior-based (unknown and advanced threats)
Response	Quarantines/deletes files	Isolates endpoints, kills processes, and rolls back damage
Visibility	Limited	Full system activity visibility
Threat Hunting	No	Yes

Key takeaways

What Drives Firewall Costs: A Breakdown for Decision-Makers

FAQs about Firewall Costs

Basic software firewalls can cost as low as $5 per month, but they may offer limited protection compared to hardware or cloud solutions.

Not necessarily, but MFS can greatly simplify network security for businesses without dedicated IT teams.

It depends on your needs. Hardware offers robust protection for internal networks, while cloud options work well for remote teams or hybrid environments.

Yes, there are free options, but they usually come with limited features and may not offer adequate protection for businesses.

Key factors include the type of firewall, licensing, features, number of users, and whether you opt for managed services.

Additional Resources

Read more about What Is an Application Firewall? Cybersecurity Strategies
What Is an Application Firewall? Cybersecurity Strategies
Learn what application firewalls are, how they work, their benefits, and why they are vital for cybersecurity strategies in today’s digital landscape.
Read more about What is a Stateful Firewall? | Cybersecurity 101
What is a Stateful Firewall? | Cybersecurity 101
Learn what a stateful firewall is and why it’s vital for network security. Discover how it tracks connections and protects against evolving cyber threats.
Read more about Stateful vs Stateless Firewall | Huntress Cybersecurity 101
Stateful vs Stateless Firewall | Huntress Cybersecurity 101
Learn the key differences between stateful and stateless firewalls. Discover how to choose the right firewall for your network's cybersecurity needs.
Read more about What is a Web Application Firewall (WAF)?
What is a Web Application Firewall (WAF)?
Learn what a Web Application Firewall (WAF) is, how it protects websites from cyberattacks, and the key benefits of implementing this essential security tool.
Read more about What is a Firewall? A Guide to Firewalls
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A firewall is a network security device that monitors traffic to or from your network. Learn more about how firewalls work in the guide to all things firewall.
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Read more about What's BSOD and how to fix a Blue Screen of Death
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Learn what causes BSOD, if blue screens mean a computer virus, and how to fix Blue Screen of Death issues with drivers, hardware, or malware.

Protect What Matters

Secure endpoints, email, and employees with the power of our 24/7 SOC. Try Huntress for free and deploy in minutes to start fighting threats.

Try Huntress for Free

How Much Does a Firewall Cost?

How much does a firewall cost?

What determines firewall costs?

Firewall cases for all businesses

Suggested budgeting tips

Government and industry resources

EDR vs. antivirus: The key differences

Key takeaways

What Drives Firewall Costs: A Breakdown for Decision-Makers

FAQs about Firewall Costs

What’s the cheapest firewall option?

Do I need to pay for a managed firewall service?

Is firewall hardware better than cloud-based firewalls?

Are there free firewalls available?

What factors increase the cost of a firewall?

Additional Resources

Protect What Matters

How Much Does a Firewall Cost?

How much does a firewall cost?

What determines firewall costs?

Firewall cases for all businesses

Suggested budgeting tips

Government and industry resources

EDR vs. antivirus: The key differences

Key takeaways

What Drives Firewall Costs: A Breakdown for Decision-Makers

FAQs about Firewall Costs

What’s the cheapest firewall option?

Do I need to pay for a managed firewall service?

Is firewall hardware better than cloud-based firewalls?

Are there free firewalls available?

What factors increase the cost of a firewall?

Additional Resources

Protect What Matters